Hat holder



April 3, 1934.

F. SWITZER HAT HOLDER Filed April 24, 1933 M W J Patented Apr. 3, 1934 HAT HOLDER Frank Switzer, Inglewood, Calif.

Application April 24, 1933, Serial No. 667,636

8 Claims.

This invention relates tol a hat holder or device for holding hats and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical hat holder that is operable to effectively and depend- 5 ably hold o1' carry hats.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hat holder that is adapted for use or installation in automobiles, railroad cars, ships, etc., and that is operable to tightly hold a hat so that it can- 1`0 not be blown away by the winds or air currents that are frequently encountered in such situations.

Another object or the invention is to provide a hat holder that occupies very little space and that may be readily mounted on the interior oi an I .15 automobile, or the like.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hat holder that includes members that are urged or expanding outwardly against the sweat band on the interior of a hat to securely hold and "20 retain the hat without distorting it or spoiling its shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hat holder that does not include any sharp or pointed projecting parts that might be hazardous or dangerous.

'.35 hat holder of the character mentioned that is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and installation.

Further objects and features of the invention will be best and fully understood from the follow- Y ing detailed description of typical forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference will be had to the acompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective View of the interior ci an automobile illustrating the device provided by the present invention holding a hat.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1 showing the hat holder in elevation.

vice. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig.

' 4, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the operating element or chain extending through a vertical opening in the wall or support.

The hat holder provided by the invention includes, generally, a bracket or body 10, hat en- Fig. 3 is an enlarged 50 front elevation of the principal portion of the de- (cl. eng-3,2)l

gaging members 11 shiftably carried by the body l0, means 12 for urging the members outwardly 'to engage the interior of the hat, and means 13 for retracting the members 11 to permit the engagement of the hat on the holder and to allow for its removal from the holder.

The bracket or body 10 is provided to carry the various other parts of the device and is adapted to be attached to a wall or other support. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, the body l0 may be designed and constructed for attachment to supports of various characters and for carrying the hat engaging members 11 in any desired positions. In the typical form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the body 10 is adapted to be attached to a flat Vertical support and operates to carry the hat engaging members l1 so that they are in spaced parallel relationto the support. Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawing illustrate the body 10 Vattached to a vertical interior wall W of an automobile body. In accordance with the usual practice, the wall W is upholstered or coveredwith an upholstering fabric F and the wall W includes a vertical frame member of wood. The bracket or body 10 of the hatY holder may be formed of sheet metal and may be mounted on the wall W to project horizontally outward in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. The body 10 is substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross section having spaced side parts 14 connected at theirv outer ends by a rounded or curved connecting'part 15. Outwardly projecting mounting or attaching iianges 16 are provided on-the inner ends of the side parts 14. 'Ihe flanges 16 are adapted to seat flatly against the wall W and may be attached to the member H of the wall by screws, or the like. Vertical extensions or arms 17 project from the opposite ends of the connecting portion 15 of the body. The arms l'lare of substantially the same cross sectional shape as the portion 15 having spaced side parts and a rounded orcurved outer portion. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the arms 17 are integral with the body 10.

The hat engaging or holding members 11 are shiftably carried by the arms 17 for movement toward and away from one another. In accordance with the invention, the members 11 are formed and shaped so as to effectively bear outwardly against the inner band or sweat band of the hat H. The device includes two like hat engaging members 11. The two members 11 may be formed of sheet metal stock of channeled cross section. Each shiitable member 11 includes an outer part 18 longitudinally curved so as to approximately conform` to the shape of the sweat band of the hat H. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing, the outer parts 18 of the hat engaging members 11 are substantially semi- .nature of spring means..

circular and their inner ends are connected by transverse or diametrical portions 19. Radial webs or portions extend between the hat engaging parts 18 and the diametrical portions 19. The radial portions 2D are vertical and at right angles to the diametric portions 19. The hat engaging members 11 are positioned so that their grooved or open sides face the support or wall W. The radial portions 20 of the members 11 are slidable longitudinally on the arms 17'. The radial portions 20 are shaped to have effective bearing and sliding engagement with the projecting arms 17. Flanges 21 are provided on the inner edges of the channeled radial portions 20 and are turned inwardly or toward one another to have sliding engagement with the inner edges of the arms 17 to hold the members 11 against outward movement and detachment from the arms. It will be apparent how the arms 17 slidably carry the hat engaging members 1 1 for vertical movement toward and away from one another. o

The means 12 for urging or expanding the hat engaging members 11 outwardly are in the A helical or spiraled spring 2,2 is arranged in each ofl the channeled armsl 17. The springs 22 extendl longitudinally through the arms 17 and are sufficiently long to project from the outer ends of the arms and extend through the outerparts of the radial portions 20. The outer ends of the springs 22 bear against the curved hat engaging parts 18 of the members 11. The inner ends of the springs 22 bear against lugs 23. The lugs 23 may be formed by making U-.shaped cuts in the arms 17 and bending inwardly the material outlined by the cuts. The springs 22 are under compression between the lugs 23 and the parts 18 to normally yieldingly. urge the members 11 outwardly. In Y practice the springs 22 are suniciently strong to maintain the members l1 in tight holding engagement with the hat H but do not cause stretching or distortion of the hat.

'-.Ihe means 13 'is manually operatable t0 retract the hat engaging members 11 to permit the easy positioning of the hat on the members and the ready removal ef the hat from the members. The means 13 includes a wheel or pulley 25 rotatably mounted between the side parts 14 or the body l() a position so that its outer peripheral portion is in longitudinal alignment with the springs 2 2. The wheel or pulley 25 is rotatable on a shaft 26 extending between and carried by the body parts 14. The periphery of the pulley is grooved to. receive a flexible element 27. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the ilexible operating element 27 isin the nature of a chain. The operating element or chain is attached to the pulley 25. The spaced sides lof the grooved periphery of the pulley 25 are pinched or crimped inwardly between adjacent links of the chain 27 as at 28 toattach the chain. to the pulley- Th'e invention includes operative connections between the h at engaging members 11 and the Wheel or pulley 25. Connecting'rods 30 extend longitudinally through the springs 22 within the arms 17 and pass through openings 31 in the lugs 23. Nuts or socket members 32 extend through openings in the 'outer parts 18 of the members 11 and` are threaded on to the outer end portions of the rods 30. The socket members 32 have slotted heads engaging the portions 18 to connect the rods with the members 11 and to` provide means for regulating the position of the members 11 relative to the rods. The inner ends of the rods are connected with the pulley 25. One rod 30 is straight and is pivotally connected withI the pulley 25 adjacent its periphery by a pivot pin 33. The other rod 30 has an offset portion 34 connected with the pulley 25 at a point diametrically opposite the point of connection of the straight rod with the pulley. 'I'he offset portion 34 of the rod is preferably curved as illustrated in Fig. 4 o the drawing to permit a maximum amount of turning of the pulley 25. In practice the pulley 25 may be turned about one-half of a revolution.

The operating member or chain 27 extends forwardly around the pulley 26 and then inwardly from under 'the pulley. The invention provides means for changing the direction of the operating chain 27 and for providing for a mechanical advantage to render the device easy to operate.

and is spaced a short distance inwardly from the pulley 25. The pulley 40 is rotatable on a shaft or pin 41 extending between and carried by the side parts 14 and passing through an eccentric opening in the pulley. The periphery of the eccentric pulley 40 is grooved to receive the exible element or chain 27. The chain 27 passes nwardly and upwardly from the pulley 25 and then extends over the pulley 40 so that its major portion may depend from the eccentric pulley 40 as illustrated throughout the drawing. The spaced peripheral parts of the eccentric pulley 4o may be crimped inwardly between spaced links of the chain 27 as at 43 to connect the chain with the pulley. The operating chain 27 is preferably sufficiently long to be readily accessible to the driver or passenger of the vehicle.

In the application of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawing, the operating chain 27 hangs downwardly in front of the up'- holstered surface of the wall W and is substantially parallel with the wall. A loop orguide part 44 may be provided on the wall W to guide the operating chain 27 and to prevent excessive swinging of the chain. When the operating chain 27 is pulled downwardly, the eccentric pulley 25 is turned in a counterclock-wise direction and the pulley 40 is turned in a clock-wise direction so that the hat engagingl members 1lv are shifted inwardly or retracted against the action or" the springs 22. The eccentricity of the pulley 40 provides an increasing leverage or mechanical advantage as the chain 27 is operated Fig. 6 of the drawing illustrates an application or installation of the hat holder in which the operating element or chain 27a extends through an opening in the wall or support carrying the device. In order' to increase the leverage in the operating means a lever projects inwardly and upwardly from the eccentric pulley 40. The lever 60 passes through an opening 51 in the upholstery and into the opening 50. The opening 50 may be an elongate groove or opening in the face of the wall andits outer side may be closed by the upholstery. The operatting chain 27a extends over the pulley 40 and inwardly on the lever 60 to hang from the end 0I the lever. The operating element or chain 27a extends downwardly through the opening 50 and its lower portion passes out through an opening 53 in the upholstery covering the wall. Metal eyes or guides 54 may be provided in the openings 51 and 53. The lower end portion of the operating chain 27a extending outwardly through the open- A cam pulley or eccentric pulley 40 is mounted between the side parts 14 of the body iol) ing 53 is readily accessible to the user of the hat holder.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the hat holder provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. When it is desired to place a hat on the holder, the operating chain 27 is pulled downwardly which results in turning of the eccentric cam or pulley 40 in a left hand direction and turning of the crank pulley 25 in a right hand direction causing retraction of the members 11. While the members 11 are retracted, the hat may be easily positioned over them and upon the operating pressure being relieved from the chain 27, the springs 22 simultaneously shift the members 11 to their expanded positions in holding engagement with the sweat band on the interior of the hat. The springs 22 are sufficiently strong so that the engagement of the members 1l with the hat effectively retains the hat on the holder. The outer parts 22 of the members 11 are shaped and proportioned so as to have effective engagement with substantial portions of the sweat band of the hat so that the pressure exerted by the springs 22 is evenly distributed on the hat. The hat H is held by the members l1 so that its brim is substantially parallel with the wall W and has suitable clearance with the wall. When it is desired to remove the hat H from the holder the operating chain 27 is pulled downwardly which again retracts the members ll thereby removing the spring pressure from the hat so that the hat may be removed without difiiculty. The present invention provides a hat holder that is simple and not expensive of manufacture and that is operable to dependably hold hats without distorting them. Y

Having described only typical detailed forms and applications of my invention, I do not desire to be limited or restricted to the forms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve unto myself any modiiications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A hat holder including, a body adapted to be attached to a support, members carried by the body for movement toward and away from one another, means for urging the members outwardly away from one another to engage the interior of a hat, and means for operating the members inwardly to release them from the hat, the last mentioned means including a rotatable part, operative connections between the members and the rotatable part, and a ilexible operating member connected with the rotatable part.

2. A hat holder including, a body, shiftable members on the body adapted to be expanded into engagement with the interior of a hat, means for operating the members outwardly to hold the hat, and means for retracting the members, the last mentioned means including, a rotatable pulley on the body, rods connected with the members and connected with the pulley at substantially diametrically opposite points, and means for turning the pulley.

3. A hat holder including, a body, shiftable members on the body adapted to be expanded into engagement with the interior of a hat, means for operating the members outwardly to hold the hat, and means for retracting the members, the lastmentioned means including, a rotatable pulley on the body, rods connected with the members and connected with the pulley at substantially diametrically opposite points, and a flexible element for operating the pulley.

4. A hat holder including, a body, means for mounting the body on a support, shiftable members on the body adapted to be expanded into engagement with the interior of a hat having its underside facing the support and its brim adjacent the support, means for operating the members outwardly to hold the hat, and means for retracting the members, the last mentioned means 1ncluding, a rotatable pulley on the body, rods connected with the members and connected with the pulley at substantially diametrically opposite points, a flexible element for operating the pulley, and a second pulley over which the element operates for changing the direction of the element to cause it to depend from between the support and brim of the hat to be accessible for engagement.

5. A hat holder including, a body, shiftable members on thebody adapted to be expanded into engagement with the interior of a hat, means for operating the members outwardly to hold the hat, and means for retracting the members, the last mentioned means including, a rotatable pulley on the body, rods connected with the members and connected with the pulley at substantially diametrically opposite points, a flexible operating member attached to the pulley, and an eccentric pulley over which the element operates.

6. A hat holder including, a body having two projecting arms, members shiftable longitudinally on the arms, the members having portions shaped to bear outwardly against the sweat band of a hat, springs in the arms urging the members outwardly to grip the hat, and means for retracting the members, the last mentioned means including a pulley carried by the body, a iiexible member for operating the pulley, and rods extending through the springs connected to the members and operatively connected with the pulley.

'7. A hat holder including a body adapted to be attached to a vertical support, members carried by the body for movement toward and away from one another in a substantially vertical plane, means normally yieldingly urging the members away from one another to contact with the interior of a hat to hold the hat with its brim adjacent and substantially parallel with the support, and means for shifting the members toward one 125 another, said means including a rotatable element on the body, operative connections between the element and the members, an operating part depending irom the body to be engageable below the brim of a hat held by the members, and an oper- 130 ative connection between the operating part and the rotatable element whereby downward operation of the operating part causes movement of the members toward one another.

8. A. hat holder including a body adapted to be 135 attached to a vertical support, members carried by the body for movement toward and away from one another in a substantially vertical plane, means normally yieldingly urging the members away from one another to contact with the inte- 140 rior of a hat to hold the hat with its brim adjacent and substantially parallel with the support, and means for shifting the members toward one another, said means including a rotatable element on the body, operative connections between the 145 element and the members, and a chain and pulley operating drive for the rotatable element including a chain depending from the body to be accessible below the brim of a hat held by the members.

FRANK SWITZER. 

